I am writing to everyone as President of the Macleay Valley business Chamber, a local citizen and business owner in the community. I would like to begin by congratulating everyone who owns, operates or works in a Macleay Valley business and who have been trying so hard to keep their doors open to their customers (our community) in these extraordinary times. In these dreadfully difficult times it is imperative that we all try to pull together as one Macleay business to try and keep not only our own but also each other's businesses operating for as long as possible and support each other in whatever way we can, not only from a financial perspective but also and emotional and psychological one too. We need to all talk to one another and share our thoughts, feelings, experiences and offer our support. I would like to share a few ideas and thoughts with the business community about things that you may have considered previously but have maybe not progressed because you felt it was not in your area of expertise. From conversation and communication (and include people that might work for you, friends, family members or customers), we can start to think outside the box and sometimes through the smallest of ideas no matter how strange can come a new idea that one may not have considered previously and could then be possibly turned into a reality, and this does not always mean a further cost. One of the keys to success in business is COMMUNICATION, keep it going with everyone around you. Whilst the impact of COVID-19 may be causing the physical closure of doors to your customers, perhaps consider implementing some of the following ideas to keep operational where possible; If you would like to do any of these things and are not sure where to start, contact the Macleay Valley Business Chamber and we will do our best to help guide you through these processes, and in case you are wondering, in this very difficult time you do not need to be an active member of chamber to get our help. So, let me expand on how these things may work for you; First up it's important to remember, if you are going to set up these tools, you must maintain the information daily because this is how you will interface with your customers in place of them coming into your business premises as we likely move into further lockdowns. Facebook; (it's free) You can create a page and communicate with your customers and invite them to share their thoughts on matters relevant to your offerings. Post photos of your merchandise online and potentially offer an unattended drop off to their house or an appointment for them to pick up from you. If you are a professional service, post articles of interest keeping content relevant and sharp to attract the readers attention. Scott Marsh President of the Macleay Valley Business Chamber